Chapter 29 The Unlucky Worker: Orochimaru
"Well then, Hiruzen-sensei! Since there's nothing else, I'll take my leave!"
Orochimaru naturally knew about his teacher's hobbies!
However, in his opinion, while such behavior was a bit perverted, it wasn't entirely unacceptable!
The Sandaime had toiled for Konoha for over a decade; couldn't he enjoy himself a little?
With a silent sigh, Orochimaru nodded at Hiruzen Sarutobi and was about to turn and leave.
"Cough! Orochimaru!"
"It seems you won't be resting for a while! I have another mission to entrust to you!"
If Fujiwara Tetsuya were here and saw Hiruzen Sarutobi's benevolent expression, he would instinctively shiver.
This "Hero of Shinobi" was about to trick someone again!
"Oh! What kind of mission, if I may ask?"
The current Orochimaru had clearly not yet experienced the harsh realities of society.
As he turned, he sat down again in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Heh! It's like this, Tsunade went to Lady Mito's place these past few days!"
"So, all matters concerning the upcoming Chunin Exams will need to be handled by you!"
Holding his pipe, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face showed a hint of embarrassment.
He hadn't anticipated this himself!
Who would have thought that Tsunade would stand him up at such a crucial moment for the Chunin selection?
Thinking of Tsunade's stubborn personality, Hiruzen Sarutobi could only shake his head!
At this point, hoping for Tsunade to change her mind was as likely as believing an elephant could climb a tree.
"What about Jiraiya?"
Orochimaru didn't directly refuse, but the expression on his face seemed to convey something else!
He didn't like playing house with children!
"Jiraiya… he took a mission today and went to Land of Whirlpools. He probably won't be back anytime soon!"
Tapping his pipe, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a little guilty.
"Alright! I understand!"
"I'll handle the Chunin Exams from now on!"
The moment he accepted the mission, Orochimaru had already planned how to give Tsunade and Jiraiya some work to do.
Working for free? No way!
...The next morning, Training Ground 37.
When Fujiwara Tetsuya saw Orochimaru again, he was a bit bewildered!
Hadn't this person already said goodbye to them yesterday?
"Everyone! We meet again!"
"Due to a last-minute change, I will still be serving as the Proctor for the Chunin preliminary selection!"
Sensing the intense gazes around him, Orochimaru's aura gradually became heavier.
This action instantly quieted the surrounding Genin.
The strong are always worthy of awe!
"The Chunin preliminary selection, which is the third exam, has very simple rules!"
"There are twenty squads that passed the second exam, which means sixty people are left!"
"The next exam will be conducted through individual battles!"
"As long as you pass two rounds, you can participate in the official Chunin Exams selection!"
"Lord Orochimaru! May I be so bold as to ask how we will determine our opponents?"
It was Senju Hoshito who spoke again!
This thick-headed fellow was undoubtedly excited once more.
"It will be decided by drawing lots, naturally!"
"Regarding this, I have already had people prepare everything!"
"After drawing your lots, everyone will battle according to the order on the slips."
"Now, let's begin!"
The moment Orochimaru waved his hand, an Anbu member appeared beside him, holding a wooden box.
Gazing at the wooden box in the Anbu's hands, the surrounding Genin, after a slight hesitation, stepped forward one after another.
"Tetsuya, how is it? Who is your opponent?"
"Oh! My luck isn't bad! It's someone from Grass Ninja Village."
"How about it, Mokujin, Mikoto, who are your opponents?"
Clutching the slip of paper in his hand, Fujiwara Tetsuya's gaze slowly fell on Uchiha Mikoto and Aburame Mokujin.
"From Grass Ninja Village! What a lucky guy!"
"My opponent is from Hidden Sand Village, as for Mikoto! She's up against someone from the Hyuga Clan!"
"Hyuga Clan?"
Turning his head, Fujiwara Tetsuya was slightly taken aback!
This battle of eyes was destined to attract many people's attention.
It was just a little regrettable!
If he could set up a betting pool or something, he could definitely make a small fortune.
"The Hyuga Clan is nothing special! I will defeat him completely within three minutes!"
It seemed she sensed Fujiwara Tetsuya's desire to watch the show!
A hint of displeasure flashed across Uchiha Mikoto's delicate face!
With a cold snort, she turned, leaving Fujiwara Tetsuya with a graceful back.
"Mikoto! Believe me, I really didn't mean anything else!"
Amidst Fujiwara Tetsuya's pleas for mercy, the third round, the Chunin preliminary selection, officially began!
The first half of the battles were somewhat tedious.
The first to be eliminated were Genin from outside the Five Great Nations, such as Grass Ninja Village, Waterfall Village, and Hidden Rain Village.
Perhaps these individuals were considered rare geniuses in their respective villages, appearing once every few or even ten years.
But on the stage of the Ninja World, they were simply too fragile.
"Go, Mikoto! Take down that Hyuga guy!"
After Aburame Mokujin secured his first victory, it was Uchiha Mikoto's turn to enter the arena.
"Uchiha and Hyuga, huh?"
"Interesting!"
Not just the many Genin in the hall, but even Orochimaru couldn't help but lick his lips, fixing his gaze on Uchiha Mikoto and Hyuga Kawani.
Although not from the Hyuga Main Family, Hyuga Kawani was considered a genius of the Hyuga Branch Family.
He had the qualifications to represent the Hyuga.
"Uchiha Mikoto!"
"I've heard of you! The genius girl of the Uchiha Clan who awakened her Sharingan at twelve!"
"However, I won't lose to you!"
"I will prove to the world! The Hyuga's Byakugan is absolutely not inferior to the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan!"
On the battle platform, Hyuga Kawani wore a solemn expression.
Clearly, he was another severe case of chuunibyou, placing his family's honor at the same level as his own life.
"Strength isn't determined by words!"
"If you want to prove the Byakugan is stronger than the Sharingan, you're not worthy!"
Uchiha Mikoto's aloofness always left people unable to fully grasp her.
The moment Hyuga Kawani activated his Byakugan, that crimson glow also appeared before everyone's eyes.
"Two tomoe!"
"When did that happen?!"
Not to mention people like Senju Hoshito, even members of the Uchiha Clan themselves showed looks of astonishment at this moment.
A two-tomoe Sharingan at thirteen!
What this meant, naturally, went without saying!
"A two-tomoe Sharingan, huh?"
"It seems this Chunin Exams will be more interesting than I imagined!"
Not far away, the geniuses from the Five Great Nations—A, Rasa, and Kitsuchi—were all invigorated.
They felt an urge to jump into action!
"Thirteenth Squad!"
"What an interesting combination!"
"Fujiwara Tetsuya, who developed an A-rank Lightning Release before the age of eight! A thirteen-year-old with a two-tomoe Sharingan! And the Aburame Clan's little brat!"
"Truly something to look forward to!"
Amidst a sneer, Orochimaru's gaze swept over Uchiha Mikoto, Fujiwara Tetsuya, and Aburame Mokujin in succession.
His eyes seemed to hold a special meaning.
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